HUD Invests $12 Million to Strengthen Rural Communities

HUD Invests $12 Million to Strengthen Rural Communities

With nearly $550 million invested, grants empower non-profits to expand affordable housing and boost community development for families in rural America.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded $12 million in capacity-building grants to five national non-profit organizations through the FY 23-24 Rural Capacity Building program which will fund rural housing development organizations, Community Development Corporations (CDCs), Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs), local governments, and Indian tribes (eligible beneficiaries) to carry out affordable housing and community development activities in rural areas for hard-working, low-income families and individuals.

"There is a great need to repair aging homes and build new housing in rural communities, but financing this work can be challenging," said HUD Agency Head, The Honorable Adrianne Todman. "These experienced non-profits will bridge the gap and help ensure we are improving the state of rural housing across the country."

Funded through HUD's Rural Capacity-Building for Affordable Housing and Community Development grant (RCB), these national intermediary organizations will support local eligible beneficiaries to spur affordable housing activities and community development in rural communities across the country. These national organizations will provide training, technical assistance, and financial support to these local beneficiaries, helping them serve hundreds of low-income or low- and moderate-income families and individuals in rural areas.

"Often times, rural communities face capacity challenges to undertake larger projects," said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development Marion McFadden. "The awards announced today will help fill that gap and enhance the ability of smaller communities to create more affordable housing. These trusted organizations will use the grants to support local groups in accessing additional federal funds."

Today's announcement builds upon the Biden-Harris Administrations investments in rural America.

• $486 million awarded to 62 communities across the nation, including $66 million specifically for rural communities, through the Special Notice of Funding Opportunity to address unsheltered and rural homelessness. In addition, HUD invited 139 Public Housing Authorities who partnered with grantee communities to accept approximately 3,300 Stability Vouchers to provide rental assistance to people experiencing or are at-risk of homelessness, including survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or human trafficking.
• $26 million awarded in SHOP grants. HUD's Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP)is heavily used in rural areas. In fact, based on data from our SHOP grantees, 50% of SHOP homes are constructed in rural communities. SHOP awards grants to nonprofit organizations to purchase home sites to be used for sweat equity and volunteer-based homeownership programs for low-income persons and families. Since 1996, grantees, have constructed nearly 30,000 housing units by providing affordable homeownership opportunities to low-income individuals and families in rural and underserved communities.
• $22 million awarded in Rural Capacity Building grants, including today's announcement.

The organizations below received funding through the FY 23-24 Rural Capacity Building Awards. For more information, view the project summaries here.